Ap Bio Vocab Ch 6

Front 1

Resolving Power

Back 1

The ability of an optical instrument or type of film to separate or distinguish small or closely adjacent images.

Front 2

Cell Fractionation

Back 2

The technique of separating the components of cells, membranes, nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria and the like, so that each may be examined as needed.

Front 3

Plasma Membrane

Back 3

A microscopic membrane of lipids and proteins that forms the external boundary of the cytoplasm of a cell, and that regulates the passage of molecules in and out of the cytoplasm.

Front 4

Nucleolus

Back 4

A small dense spherical structure in the nucleus of a cell during interphase, use to transcribe ribosomal RNA.

Front 5

Rough ER

Back 5

An eukaryotic organelle that forms an interconnected network of tubules, vesicles, and cisternae within cells and is coated with ribosomes.

Front 6

Contractile Vacuole

Back 6

A vacuole in some protozoans that expels excess liquid on contraction.

Front 7

Chloroplast

Back 7

A plastid that contains chlorophyll and in which photosynthesis takes place.

Front 8

Stroma

Back 8

The connective, supportive framework of a biological cell, tissue, or organ, in which the grana is embedded.

Front 9

Flagella

Back 9

A slender threadlike structure that enables many protozoa and bacteria to swim.

Front 10

Plasmodesmata

Back 10

A narrow thread of cytoplasm that passes through the cell walls of adjacent plant cells and allows communication between them.

Front 11

Organelle

Back 11

A specialized subunit within a cell that has a specific function, and is usually separately enclosed within its own lipid bilayer.

Front 12

Cytoplasm

Back 12

The material or protoplasm within a living cell, excluding the nucleus.

Front 13

Nucleus

Back 13

A dense organelle present in most eukaryotic cells, typically a single rounded structure bounded by a double membrane, containing the genetic material.

Front 14

Ribosome

Back 14

A minute particle consisting of RNA and associated proteins, found in large numbers in the cytoplasm of living cells. They bind messenger RNA and transfer RNA to synthesize polypeptides and proteins.

Front 15

Golgi Apparatus

Back 15

A complex of vesicles and folded membranes within the cytoplasm of most eukaryotic cells, involved in secretion and intracellular transport.

Front 16

Central Vacuole

Back 16

A complex of vesicles and folded membranes within the cytoplasm of most eukaryotic cells, involved in secretion and intracellular transport.

Front 17

Cristae

Back 17

The internal compartments formed by the inner membrane of a mitochondrion. They are coated with proteins, including ATP synthase and a variety of cytochromes.

Front 18

Cytoskeleton

Back 18

A microscopic network of protein filaments and tubules in the cytoplasm of many living cells, giving them shape and coherence.

Front 19

Cilia

Back 19

A short, microscopic, hairlike vibrating structure. Occurs in large numbers on the surface of certain cells, providing movement.

Front 20

Tight Junctions

Back 20

A specialized connection of two adjacent animal cell membranes such that the space usually lying between them is absent.

Front 21

Electron Microscope

Back 21

A microscope with high magnification and resolution, employing electron beams in place of light and using electron lenses.

Front 22

Prokaryotic Cell

Back 22

A group of organisms that lack a cell nucleus or any other membrane-bound organelles.

Front 23

Chromatin

Back 23

The material of which the chromosomes of organisms other than bacteria are composed. It consists of protein, RNA, and DNA.

Front 24

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Back 24

A network of membranous tubules within the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell. It usually has ribosomes attached and is involved in protein and lipid synthesis.

Front 25

Phagocytosis

Back 25

Process in which phagocytes engulf and digest microorganisms and cellular debris.

Front 26

Peroxisome

Back 26

A small organelle that is present in the cytoplasm of many cells and that contains the reducing enzyme catalase and usually some oxidases.

Front 27

Plastid

Back 27

Any of a class of small organelles, such as chloroplasts, in the cytoplasm of plant cells, containing pigment or food.

Front 28

Microtubules

Back 28

A microscopic tubular structure present in numbers in the cytoplasm of cells, sometimes coming together to form more complex structures.

Front 29

Pseudopodia

Back 29

Temporary projections of eukaryotic cells for movement and feeding.

Front 30

Gap Junctions

Back 30

Direct connection of the cytoplasm of two cells, which allows various molecules and ions to pass freely between cells

Front 31

Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

Back 31

A form of electron microscope in which an image is derived from electrons that have passed through the specimen.

Front 32

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

Back 32

An electron microscope in which the surface of a specimen is scanned by a beam of electrons that are reflected to form an image.

Front 33

Eukaryotic Cell

Back 33

An organism whose cells contain complex structures enclosed within membranes. The defining membrane-bound structure that sets eukaryotic cells apart from prokaryotic cells is the nucleus.

Front 34

Chromosome

Back 34

Threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

Front 35

Smooth ER

Back 35

An eukaryotic organelle that forms an interconnected network of tubules, vesicles, and cisternae within cells, not coated with ribosomes.

Front 36

Food Vacuole

Back 36

A vacuole with a digestive function in the protoplasm of a protozoan.

Front 37

Mitochondria

Back 37

An organelle in which the biochemical processes of respiration and energy production occur. It has a double membrane, the inner layer being folded inward.

Front 38

Thylakoid

Back 38

Each of a number of flattened sacs inside a chloroplast, bounded by pigmented membranes on which the light reactions of photosynthesis take place.

Front 39

Microfilaments

Back 39

A small rodlike structure present in numbers in the cytoplasm of many eukaryotic cells.

Front 40

Cell Wall

Back 40

A rigid layer of polysaccharides lying outside the plasma membrane of the cells of plants, fungi, and bacteria.